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Lewisville proposes citywide changes to neighborhood grants, seeks easier vendor payment options
Summary
Neighborhood Services presented recommendations to expand and simplify several neighborhood grant programs — including PEP Plus and a code‑abatement reimbursement program — and proposed paying vendors directly to reduce barriers for homeowners and neighborhoods without HOAs.
City staff on Tuesday recommended several changes to Lewisville's neighborhood grant programs intended to increase participation among older and lower‑income homeowners and neighborhoods without homeowners associations.
Ashley Perry, Neighborhood Services Manager, reviewed the Property Enhancement Program (PEP), PEP Plus, the Neighborhood Enhancement Program and a code‑abatement reimbursement program. "This prog — I have joked that this we always say PEP is peppy because it's very popular program," Perry said, noting PEP has reimbursed more than $1 million across roughly 396 completed projects since the program began.
Perry and Neighborhood staff reported PEP Plus — a 25% matching grant up to $20,000 aimed at homes built in 1980 or earlier — became more popular after the city expanded eligibility citywide. Staff said many PEP Plus applicants are homeowners age 62 or older and that the program has completed 28 projects to date.
Staff identified low take‑up for the code abatement reimbursement program, which offers up to 100% reimbursement to eligible low‑income homeowners (up to a $7,500 cap). Perry said outreach and direct contact by staff and code officers has not produced consistent application completion; common barriers include projects that cost substantially more than the $7,500 maximum and vendors unwilling to accept reimbursement after work is complete.
Neighborhood Services Manager Brian McBreen recommended three main policy changes: make the neighborhood day of service event citywide, expand the code abatement program citywide and pay vendors directly for neighborhood enhancement projects (a direct payment option at up to $5,000 was proposed). McBreen described opening the Neighborhood Enhancement Program to non‑HOA neighborhoods and allowing vendor direct payment to eliminate the requirement that neighborhoods have a bank account.
Staff also recommended removing the legacy targeted NEST 2 geographic designation because the programs tied to NEST 2 did not see uptake; those benefits would instead be made citywide. Perry and McBreen proposed broadening PEP Plus eligibility to homes 40 years or older so the program remains evergreen and suggested adding a tree replacement requirement for projects that remove trees.
Council members asked about vendor outreach and whether the city could recruit contractors to accept program payments; staff replied they will contact registered contractors and the Chamber to build an approved‑vendor list. Staff also noted the code abatement program is funded through a CIP account and remains available even if not currently fully used.
Council took no final ordinance or budget vote at the meeting; staff said recommendations require additional legal review and will be incorporated into upcoming budget materials for council consideration.
